Jonas Rimantas Stonis

Upon the first discovery, this publication provides the results of the examination and documentation of the female genitalia of Dvidulopsis Stonis & Diškus, an endemic Neotropical genus previously known only from male specimens. It also describes Stigmella mariusi Stonis & Diškus, sp. nov., a previously overlooked Acalypha-feeding species of Nepticulidae from the western premontane Amazon.

The aim of this study was to supplement current knowledge on the species diversity of Opostegidae in Central America and the Caribbean and to compare this diversity with that of other regions. We examined historical material and conducted fieldwork in Honduras during 2023–2025, a true tabula rasa in terms of Opostegidae diversity. Collected specimens were dissected, with genitalia photographed and analyzed. Molecular divergence was assessed using Neighbor-Joining and Maximum Likelihood methods, as well as Bayesian inference; creation of a mitotype network (TCS algorithm) and species delimitation (bPTP method) were also performed. The study of historical material revealed that Pseudopostega saltatrix (Walsingham) is not conspecific with taxa previously published under the same name, resulting in the description of one new Pseudopostega species. Fieldwork in Honduras yielded 11 additional Pseudopostega species—all new national records, six of which are new to science. The paper introduces 33 new molecular sequences, bringing the total to 114 mtDNA COI-5′ sequences currently deposited in the National Genomics Data Center (China). With these discoveries, the number of Opostegidae in Central America and the Caribbean rises to 63 species, representing 30.9% of the global fauna. The Neotropical realm (103 spp.) exhibits markedly higher Opostegidae diversity than other biogeographical regions, underscoring its importance as a center of diversification. Our analysis also revealed an alarmingly high proportion of doubtful molecular barcodes—nearly one-third (27%) appear erroneous due to species misidentification in Neotropical Opostegidae.

This study aims to describe a new species of Dishkeya Stonis, D. tarapotica Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov., and to assess how its characteristics contribute to the morphological, biological, and molecular understanding of this small, enigmatic, and understudied genus. Despite the similarity of leaf mines between D. tarapotica sp. nov. and D. gouaniae (Stonis & Diškus), the new species is a distinct taxon that differs clearly from all other Dishkeya species—including those feeding on the same host-plant genus, Gouania Jacq. (Rhamnaceae)—due to notable differences in genital morphology. Key diagnostic characters include the small female corpus bursae, a wide male phallus with strongly developed lateral processes and exceptionally long carinae, an elaborately shaped valva, and most notably, the sclerotized socii (pseudognathos). These characters support the current concept of the genus Dishkeya. In contrast, the presence of long antennal sensilla trichodea in females of D. tarapotica sp. nov. and the related D. gouaniae represents a unique and striking trait—an atypical character within the family Tischeriidae, but one that contributes to the diagnostic characteristics of the genus Dishkeya. Molecular analysis incorporating newly generated sequences of D. tarapotica sp. nov. further confirmed its distinctiveness and once again raised the possibility that Dishkeya is more closely related to the genera Coptotrichoides Diškus & Stonis and Coptotriche Walsingham, rather than to Tischeria Zeller.

The factors that generate the extraordinary biodiversity of tropical regions are likely multifaceted. In this study, we tested our working hypothesis that a mosaic of contrasting habitats plays a key role in shaping the diversity of tropical pygmy moths (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae). To explore this, we selected four ecologically distinct localities in Honduras and investigated whether closely related but distinct Nepticulidae species occur in different habitats. Collected specimens were dissected, and their genital structures photographed and analyzed. Molecular divergence was assessed using DnaSP, with Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic trees constructed in MEGA. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses and mitotype networks construction (TCS algorithm) were also performed. Our findings are presented in two case studies. In Case Study 1, three closely related yet distinct species were discovered in separate localities; in Case Study 2, four other closely related species were found in environmentally different sites. Comparative material from Colombia and Peru was also examined. Based on integrated morphological and molecular analyses, eight new species were identified and formally described. We conclude that contrasting environmental conditions exert selective pressures, and that morphologically and genetically similar species—likely derived from a common ancestor—have diverged, exemplifying the process of adaptive radiation.

The trophic association of Nepticulidae with Nothofagus in Andean Patagonia has been speculated about but never conclusively demonstrated. This study provides the first definitive evidence that the species of the Stigmella purpurimaculae group are leaf miners of Nothofagus spp., with documented mines and male genital structure analysis of two species reared from Nothofagus. Additionally, we describe three new Stigmella species from Honduras, which, despite the geographic distance from Andean Patagonia, share key genital traits with the S. purpurimaculae group. While these species exhibit some external differences, their morphological similarities raise intriguing questions about potential evolutionary connections.

This publication describes Dvidulopsis Stonis & Diškus, gen. nov., and a new species, D. diviantis Stonis & Remeikis, sp. nov., along with new distribution data for D. latipennata (Puplesis & Robinson) from Honduras. The study identifies Dvidulopsis gen. nov. as a distinct taxon, characterized by notable characters of the male genitalia, including a typically divided uncus and gnathos, and three elongated apical carinae of the phallus. Molecular evidence from new mtDNA COI-5’ sequences further supports the genus description. The new genus, comprising eight species, is endemic to lowland tropical humid forests, typically found at elevations of 10–400 m. Half of the known species inhabit equatorial regions, specifically the humid forests of the Amazon Basin, while the other half are found in the humid forests of Central America. The study also summarizes distribution data on Nepticulidae from the conservation-priority lowland tropical humid forests of the Neotropics, currently encompassing 57 species, representing approximately 30% of the described Nepticulidae fauna in the Neotropical region (sensu stricto). The article is illustrated with a chart depicting Nepticulidae occurrence in the lowland tropical humid forests of the Americas, a species distribution map, photographs of Dvidulopsis adults and male genitalia, and two molecular NJ trees distinguishing the new genus from similar taxa, such as Acalyptris Meyrick, 1921; Fomoria Beirne, 1945; and other Nepticulidae.

This publication records the endemic genus Dishkeya Stonis in Honduras and, for the first time, documents the female genitalia and leaf mines of D. gouaniae (Stonis & Diškus). Additionally, it provides the first barcodes and molecular considerations regarding the genus Dishkeya. The article is illustrated with 34 figures, including photographs of male and female genitalia, leaf mines, exuviae, and a molecular tree based on mtDNA COI sequences.

In the current paper, we provide a complete list of 32 Nepticulidae species discovered in Armenia, along with photographic samples of detected leaf mines. For the first time, we include photographic documentation of the male genitalia structures of the Armenian Glaucolepis melanoptera (van Nieukerken & Puplesis) and the previously little-known, formerly Central Asian Stigmella klimeschi Puplesis and S. kuznetzovi Puplesis. Moreover, our molecular analyses have confirmed the occurrence of S. aceris (Frey) and Glaucolepis melanoptera in Armenia and justified the description of two species, Stigmella inopinoides Dobrynina, 2024 and Etainia caucasi Remeikis, 2024.

This publication describes four new high-altitude species of Tischeriidae, all within the genus Astrotischeria Puplesis & Diškus: A. peruanica Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov., A. montivaga Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov., A. viscacha Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov., and A. andina Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. Notably, A. andina sp. nov., is the highest-recorded Tischeriidae species, documented at an elevation of 3,600 meters, the highest altitude recorded for the family worldwide to date. The study also provides a summary of current species distribution data, indicating that species from altitudes up to 2,000 meters are predominant, with high-elevation species above 3,000 m comprising about 5% in the tropics and 2% globally. It is hypothesized that there is a high probability of discovering more high-elevation Tischeriidae within the genus Astrotischeria, particularly those feeding on Baccharis L. in the Andes, South America. Additionally, a new elevation record for the mountainous species Astrotischeria parapallens Diškus & Stonis is documented. The article is illustrated with 63 figures, including photographs of the adults, male and female genitalia, leaf mines and their habitats, a molecular topology, and graphics depicting trends in Tischeriidae occurrence across different elevations.

Our investigation centered on the tropical dry forests along the Pacific coast of Honduras, aiming to elucidate the presence and abundance of minuscule grey moths during the dry season. Through specimen dissections and the taxonomic identification of the collected material, we have described three new species: Acalyptris podenasi sp. nov., A. palpiformis sp. nov., and A. tortoris sp. nov. Additionally, we documented two species previously known from neighboring countries, A. lascuevella Puplesis & Robinson and A. basicornis Remeikis & Stonis. The females of A. lascuevella were previously unknown and are documented here for the first time. Morphological examinations were complemented by DNA barcoding, particularly highlighting variation in A. lascuevella. The paper’s primary significance lies not only in the description of new species but also in uncovering their taxonomic, morphological, and molecular importance. We found that these species are unique and indicative of the previously unstudied dry forests as a distinct ecosystem. Our findings revealed several novel atypical morphological traits within the studied Nepticulidae, including unusually large signum cells in the female genitalia, a dorso-ventrally divided uncus, and asymmetrical valvae in the male genitalia. These discoveries underscore the morphological diversity of Acalyptris Meyrick and their significance in evolutionary biology. Consequently, the paper addresses a previously unknown phenomenon of the occurrence and astonishing abundance of minuscule plant-mining micromoths in dry deciduous forests during the peak of the dry season. We hope that this paper will encourage Lepidoptera taxonomists to explore micromoths in other tropical dry forests, which, while limited in distribution, hold global importance. The paper is extensively illustrated with photographs of Acalyptris adults and their genitalia, along with maps, habitats, and molecular phylogenetic trees.